Work storage containers

ABSTRACT

A container system that includes a container portion having a base that defines a perimeter and a wall having a first end that is attached to the base, wherein the wall extends from the first end so that the base and the wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of the wall defines an edge of an opening into the interior volume of space. The container system further including a cover having a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block the opening, wherein the surface includes a pattern of perforations that defines a weakened area of the surface that is surrounded by the pattern of perforations.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e)(1) of: 1) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/543,154,filed Oct. 4, 2011 and 2) U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/544,941, filed Oct. 7, 2011, the entire contents of each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to wire storage containers.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to recyclable wirestorage containers for storing, transporting and dispensing wire.

BACKGROUND

Convention welding wire containers come in the form of large cylindricaldrums usually having metal rings at the top and the bottom of thecontainers. These welding wire drum containers are bulky and difficultto transport. They are also difficult to properly dispose of as they arenot structurally designed to be disassembled or change shape and are notmade from readily recyclable materials. Moreover, the conventionalwelding wire drum containers are made so that only one type of weldingwire dispensing device is able to be attached to them during a weldingoperation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention regards a container system thatincludes a container portion having a base that defines a perimeter anda wall having a first end that is attached to the base, wherein the wallextends from the first end so that the base and the wall define aninterior volume of space and wherein a second end of the wall defines anedge of an opening into the interior volume of space. The containersystem further including a cover having a surface that is positioned tocontact the edge and block the opening, wherein the surface includes apattern of perforations that defines a weakened area of the surface thatis surrounded by the pattern of perforations.

A second aspect of the present invention regards a container system thatincludes a container portion having a base that defines a perimeter anda wall including a first end that is attached to the base, wherein thewall extends from the first end so that the base and the wall define aninterior volume of space and wherein a second end of the wall defines anedge of an opening into the interior volume of space. The containersystem further includes a cover having a surface that is positioned tocontact the edge and block the opening, wherein the cover is notintegrally attached to the container portion. A strap engages the walland the cover so that a first end of the strap and a second end of thestrap extend past the edge of the opening.

A third aspect of the present invention regards a container systemincludes a container portion that includes a base that defines aperimeter and a wall having a first end that is attached to the base,wherein the wall extends from the first end so that the base and thewall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of thewall defines an edge of an opening into the interior volume of space.The container system further includes a cover having a surface that ispositioned to contact the edge and partially block the opening, whereinthe cover defines a dispensing opening that is in fluid communicationwith the interior volume of space. The container system includes wirelocated within the interior volume of space, wherein an end of the wireextends through the dispensing opening.

A fourth aspect of the present invention regards a method of dispensingwire that includes providing a container portion that has a base thatdefines a perimeter and a wall having a first end that is attached tothe base, wherein the wall extends from the first end so that the baseand the wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second endof the wall defines an edge of an opening into the interior volume ofspace. The method including placing a first wire dispenser within theinterior volume of space and positioning a cover to contact the edge andpartially block the opening, wherein the cover defines a dispensingopening that is in fluid communication with the interior volume ofspace, the dispensing opening has a size that prevents the first wiredispenser to pass through the dispensing opening. The method includingdispensing a wire from the first wire dispenser so as to pass throughthe dispensing opening, removing the cover and removing the first wiredispenser from the interior volume of space. The method furtherincluding placing a second wire dispenser within the interior volume ofspace and placing the cover to contact the edge and partially block theopening, wherein the dispensing opening has a size that prevents thesecond wire dispenser to pass through the dispensing opening. The wireis dispensed from the second wire dispenser so as to pass through thedispensing opening.

A fifth aspect of the present invention regards a cover for a containersystem, the cover includes a surface having a pattern of perforationsthat defines a weakened area of the surface that is surrounded by thepattern of perforations. The cover further including a side piece thatis attached to the surface at an angle.

A sixth aspect of the present invention regards a container system thatincludes a container portion that has a base that defines a perimeterand a wall having a first end that is attached to the base, wherein thewall extends from the first end so that the base and the wall define aninterior volume of space and wherein a second end of the wall defines anedge of an opening into the interior volume of space. The containersystem including a cover having a surface that is positioned to contactthe edge and block the opening, wherein the cover releasably engages thecontainer portion via a male/female attachment.

One or more aspects of the present invention allow for recycling awelding wire storage container.

An advantage of the present disclosure to provide a welding wire storagecontainer adaptable to individually incorporate a plurality of differentwelding wire dispensing devices.

Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide aproduct that can be used with a plurality of different types of weldingwire dispensing devices.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improvedmethod of using a welding wire storage container.

Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide animproved method of individually incorporating a plurality of differentwelding wire dispensing devices into a welding wire storage container.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description given below, serve to explainfeatures of the present invention. In the drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container portionthat is used with the container system of FIG. 1 in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the interior of the container portionof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a blank that is used to form the containerportion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of a portion of a blank that isused to form an embodiment of an inner wall of an interior containerused with the container portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the interior of the container portionof FIG. 2 with the blank of FIG. 5 folded to form the inner wall of anembodiment of the interior container used with the container portion ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a blank that is used to form a base of aninterior container used with the container portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the base formed from theblank of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a top view of the container portion of FIG. 2 when containingthe interior container and base of FIGS. 5-8;

FIG. 9B shows the container portion of FIG. 9A with a spool of wireinserted therein;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover to be usedwith the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of FIG. 10 whenpartially assembled;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanismof the cover of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a blank to form the cover of FIGS. 10-12;

FIG. 14 shows the cover of FIGS. 10-13 being placed on the containerportion of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 15 shows the cover of FIGS. 10-13 engaging the container portion ofFIGS. 2-4 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows a hood supported by the container portion and innercontainer of FIG. 9 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 shows the cover of FIG. 10 when a weakened area is removed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 shows the cover of FIG. 17 being attached to the containerportion of FIG. 16 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 shows the cover of FIG. 17 being attached to the containerportion of FIG. 9 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a dispensing cover placed on thecontainer portion and cover of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet to be usedwith the container system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates to wire storage containers and methods ofusing the wire storage containers. The wire storage containers can beshaped and configured to store and dispense any suitable wire such as awelding wire. The wire storage containers can be entirely made from arecyclable material such as paper, cardboard, cellulosic material, etc.,and not include staples or any other metal pieces so as to be completelyrecyclable. The wire storage containers can advantageously bedisassembled and broken down or flattened after the wire has beendepleted for easy recycling or disposal of.

The wire storage containers can also be advantageously adapted toincorporate or be attached to a variety of differently shaped wiredispensing devices. The wire dispensing device can be a quick disconnectpayout, a round drum payout hood, a square box payout hood or any othersuitable wire dispensing devices. This allows a user to use their ownchoice of wire dispensing device in conjunction with the wire storagecontainers. As a result, the wire storage containers can be compatiblewith the type of wire dispensing device the user might already have instock or a wire dispensing device that the user prefers to use for aspecific operation.

With the above statements in mind, a container system 100 is shown inFIG. 1 that includes a container portion 102 and a cover 104 that areattached to one another. The container portion 102 includes a base 106that defines a rectangular or square perimeter. In the case of a squareperimeter, each side of the perimeter can have a length of approximately20⅜ inches. The container portion 102 further includes a wall 108 thatincludes a first end 110 that is attached to the base 106. As shown inFIG. 1, the wall 108 includes four panels 112 that extend from the firstend 110 so that the base 106 and the wall 108 define an interior volumeof space. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, a second end 114 of the wall 108defines an edge of an opening into the interior volume of space;

As shown in FIG. 4, the base 106 and wall 108 are formed from a singleblank 116 that is made of a material, such as corrugated cardboard. Theblank 116 includes four creases/fold lines 118 that are parallel to oneanother and define at least in part the four panels 112. As shown inFIG. 4, the panels 112 are rectangular in shape. For example, each panel112 can have a length of approximately 31⅜ inches and a width ofapproximately 20⅜ inches. In addition, two of the four panels 112include five slots 119 that are centered on the panels and equidistantlyseparated from one another. For example, the slots are rectangular inshape having a length of approximately 2.25 inches and separated fromone another by approximately 8 inches. As shown in FIG. 4, the top slot119 is positioned at the top edge of the wall and the bottom slot 119 ispositioned adjacent the crease 120. Each top slot 119 is positioned justbelow a male attachment member 121 that is in the form of a trapezoid.Operation of the male attachment member will be described later in thedescription.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the bottom edges of the panels 112 isdefined by a crease/fold line 120 that is oriented perpendicular to thecreases 118. Attached to each crease 120 is a base panel 122. As shownin FIG. 4, the base panels 122 are separated from one another by threecut lines 124 that are aligned with three of the creases 118. Inaddition, the base panels 122 are rectangular in shape having a lengthof approximately 20⅜ inches and a width of approximately 10 3/16 inches.

The container portion 102 is formed by folding the blank 116 alongcreases 118 so that the panels 112 define a square tube. The containerportion 102 retains its shape by having a flap 126 glued to an interioredge portion 128 of one of the exterior panels 112.

Once the square tube is formed, the two bottom base panels 122 that faceone another are folded along creases 120 towards each other. Next, theother two bottom base panels 122 are folded toward each other alongcreases 120 so that all four panels 122 define a base 106 that isperpendicular to the panels 112. Note that a piece of adhesive tape isplaced along the linear space between the free edges of the last twobottom panels 112 that are folded so that the last two bottom panels 112are attached to one another via the tape. The first two bottom panelscan also be attached to one another via tape 129 placed in the interiorof the container portion 102 as shown in FIG. 6. Of course, other waysof attachment between the base panels 122 so as to form a sturdy base106 are possible.

After the container portion 102 is formed, a strap 130 is laced/threadedonto the container portion. In particular, one end 132 of the strap 130that is in the shape of a closed loop is inserted from the interior ofthe container portion 102 into and through one of the two top slots 119.The end 132 is then inserted through the next lower slot 119 so that theend 132 enters the interior of the container portion 102. Next, the end132 is inserted through the next lower slot 119 to the exterior of thebox. The end 132 then bypasses the next lower slot 119 and goes all theway to the bottom slot 119 where it is inserted into that slot andpasses back into the interior of the container portion 102 adjacent tothe interior surface of the base 106. The end 132 is then passed throughthe bottom slot 119 on a second panel 112 that faces opposite the panel112 in which the lacing process was begun. The end 132 is then laced upthe second panel 112 by being inserted into slots 119 that correspond tothose slots on the initial panel 112 that have previously received theend 132. The end result of the lacing process is that the strap 130 islaced the same on both panels 112. As shown in FIG. 1, the strap 130 hasa second end 134 that is also looped. The looped ends 132 and 134 allowfor the ends to be grasped or engaged so that the container portion 102can be lifted and moved to other positions. It is envisioned to haveeither a forklift or a crane engage the looped ends to move thecontainer portion and its contents. It is also envisioned that otherlacing patterns for the strap 130 are possible. Such lacing patterns canbe promoted by adding or subtracting the number of slots 119 formed onthe panels 112.

After the strap 130 has been laced onto the container portion 102, aninner container 136 is inserted into the interior of the containerportion 130 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. The inner container 136 includesa base 138 that defines a polygonal opening 140 facing the interiorsurface of the base 106, such as an octagon as shown in FIG. 6. In thecase of an octagonal opening, the length of each side of the octagon isapproximately 8 inches. The inner container 136 further includes a wall142 defined by eight panels 144 that extend from the base 138.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base 138 and wall 142 are formed from a singleblank 146 that is made of a material, such as corrugated cardboard. Theblank 146 includes eight creases/fold lines 148 that are parallel to oneanother and define at least in part the eight panels 144. As shown inFIG. 5, the panels 144 are rectangular in shape. For example, each panel112 can have a length of approximately 31⅜ inches and a width ofapproximately 8 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the bottom edges of the panels 144 isdefined by a crease/fold line 150 that is oriented perpendicular to thecreases 148. Attached to each crease 150 is a base panel 152. As shownin FIG. 5, adjacent base panels 152 are separated from one another byseven triangular notches 154 (three of the notches are shown) whoseapexes are aligned with seven of the creases 148. In addition, the basepanels 152 are trapezoidal in shape having a height of approximately 4inches, a first base of approximately 8 inches and a second base ofapproximately 4⅝ inches.

The inner container 136 is formed by folding the blank 146 along creases148 so that the panels 152 define a polygonal tube. The inner container102 retains its shape by having a rectangular flap 154 glued to aninterior edge portion of one of the panels 142 as shown in FIG. 6.

Once the polygonal tube is formed, the inner container 136 is loweredinto the interior of the container portion 102 until the eight basepanels 152 engage the base 106 of the container portion 102 which causesthe base panels to flatten against the base 106 and form the polygonalopening 140, as shown in FIG. 6. Note that there is no attachment otherthan a frictional fit between the container portion 102 and the innercontainer 136. Such frictional fit is further promoted by four cornerpieces 156 that are inserted in the corner volumes defined between theinner container 136 and the container portion 102.

Each corner piece 156 is formed from a blank that is made of a material,such as corrugated cardboard. The blank includes three creases/foldlines that are parallel to one another and define four rectangularpanels 158. Each panel 112 can have a length of approximately 31⅜ inchesand a width of approximately 5 inches. The four panels are folded aboutthe creases to form polygonal tubes, such as the triangular tubes shownin FIG. 9A.

Once the base 138 is formed as shown in FIG. 6, then a support 160 isinserted into the inner container 136 so that a central flange 162 isexposed as shown in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the support 160is formed from a blank 161 that is made of a material, such ascorrugated cardboard. The blank 161 includes four creases/fold lines 162and 164 that are parallel to one another and define one octagonalcentral panel 166, two half-octagonal side panels 168 and tworectangular end panels 170. A central slot 172 and a pair of circularopenings 174 are formed in the blank.

The support 160 is formed by folding the panels 168 about creases 162toward the octagonal panel 166 and inserting the rectangular end panels170 through the slot 172 so that the panels 170 extend through the slot172 and define a flange as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The slot 172 and theopenings 174 define a path so that a tension device, such as a rubberband 176 can be attached to the flange as shown in FIG. 8. Onceassembled, the support 160 is placed on top of the bases 138 and 106 asshown in FIG. 9A. The support frictionally engages the panels 144 of theinner container 136.

After the support 160 is positioned within the inner container 136, acommodity can be placed in the volume of space defined by the innercontainer 136 and the support 160. For example, a spool of wire can beinserted as shown in FIG. 9B. In this example, the spool is place on afloat ring and is tensioned to the support 160 by stretching rubber band176 so as to extend past the top of the reel. At this point one or moredowels are inserted into the rubber band and engage the top surface ofthe reel as shown in FIG. 9B.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 104 is placed on the container portion 102.Before totally covering the opening of the container portion 102, theends 132 and 134 of the strap 130 are inserted through central slots 178of the cover 104. Next, while the male engagement members 119 aredirected downward toward the exterior sides of the panels 112, the cover104 is pressed down on the container portion 102 so as to engage thecontainer portion 102. Such engagement shall be discussed below.

Before discussing the above mentioned engagement, a brief description ofthe cover 104 is presented. In particular, the cover 104 is formed froma blank 180 that is made of a material, such as corrugated cardboard. Asshown in FIG. 13, the blank 180 includes two pairs of centralcreases/fold lines 182 and 184, wherein the creases in each set areparallel to one another and the creases 182 and 184 are perpendicular toeach other. The blank 180 further includes two sets of creases 186 thatare aligned with creases 184 as shown in FIG. 13. In addition, two setsof creases 188 are formed that are parallel to creases 184 as shown inFIG. 13. The creases define a central surface 190, two identical sidepanels 192 and two identical end panels 194. The central surfaceincludes a pattern of perforations 199 that define a weakened surfacewithin the pattern. While a circular pattern is shown in FIGS. 1 and 13wherein the center of the circle is located at the center of the centralsurface 190, other patterns are possible. In the case of a circle, thediameter is 19.5 inches and at most 68% of the central area contains anaperture. Note that the central surface 190 further includes a secondpattern of perforations that define a weakened area therein such thatwhen the weakened area is removed a dispensing opening 203 located atthe center of the pattern of perforations 199.

Each side panel includes two corner flaps 195 that are unattached to theend panels 194 due to cut lines 196. As shown in FIG. 11, the cover 104is formed by placing the blank 180 bottom side up and folding the sidepanels 192 up about creases 182 so as to be perpendicular to the centralsurface 190. Next, the four corner flaps 195 are folded so they arealigned along the creases 184. The two end panels 194 are folded upwardabout creases 184 so as to be perpendicular to the surface 190. Next,the outermost sections 198 of end panels 194 are folded about creases188 so as to overlap the corner flaps 195. Tabs 200 of sections 198 thenare inserted into slots 202 to complete construction of the cover 104.The end result is shown in FIG. 11, wherein the cover 104 includes askirt that includes two side walls 204 and two end walls 206.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the end panels define a trapezoidal-likeindentation 208 that when folded in the manner shown in FIGS. 11 and 12defines a female member, such as the trapezoidal notch 210. The notch210 is aligned with opening 212 formed in the cover 104.

As mentioned previously, cover 104 is pressed down on the containerportion 102 so that the skirt of the cover 104 slides past the top edgesof the opening defined by the panels 112 and slide over the exterior topportions of the panels 112. The notches 210 slide over correspondingmale engagement members 121 as shown in FIG. 14. When an edge 214 ofnotch 210 moves past a free end 216 of male engagement member 121, thefree end 216 moves into the notch 210. At this stage, if a user tries tolift the cover 104 off of the container portion 102, the free end 216engages the edge 214 of the notch 210 so removal of the cover 104 isprevented. Disengagement between the cover 104 and the container portion102 is accomplished by inserting an object through hole 212 shown inFIG. 15 and pressing male engagement member 121 so that free end 216 nolonger is present within the notch 210. Thus, the cover 104 can beremoved.

Note that other manners of releasably attaching cover 104 to containerportion 102 are possible. For example, attachment may be achieved bysnap-fitting, pressure-fitting, friction fitting, etc. In addition, themale and female attachment members of FIGS. 1-22 can be reversed.

With the above mentioned structure for the container system 100 of FIGS.1-15 in mind, operation of the system 100 will now be explained in thecase where a reel of wire, such as shown in FIG. 9B, is contained in thecontainer system 100. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the weakenedarea corresponding to hole 203 is removed and a quick disconnect payout218 is inserted therein. It should be appreciated that quick disconnectpayout 218 can be positioned at any location on the top of cover 104.The quick disconnect payout 218 is a two piece where one piece isinserted into the hole from the external side of the cover and a secondpiece threadingly engages the first piece at the internal side of thecover. An example of such a two piece payout is the quick connect andceramic inlet guide available from Wire Wizard in Direct Pull Kit ModelWWDP.

As used herein, the term “quick disconnect payout” means a removableoutlet piece circumferentially sized to allow a wire to pass through.The quick disconnect payout may have any suitable length and be madefrom a solid material such as a metal. Next, a free end of the wirewithin the cover system 100 is threaded through the hole 203 and thedisconnect payout 218 so that it can be used for some designatedactivity. Note that cover 104 does not need a perforation pattern if thequick disconnect payout is already incorporated into the cover 104.

As an alternative way to dispense the wire, the cover 104 is removed anda dispensing device 220 is placed on the top portion of the containerportion 102. In particular, the dispensing device 220 has a bottomflanged surface 222 that lies upon the top edges of the inner container136 and the corner pieces 156. The dispensing device 220 furtherincludes a conical-like hood 224 that extends upward and away from thetop portion of the container portion 102. A side surface 225 of the hoodincludes an aperture 227 that is covered by a window 226 made of atransparent material. The window allows viewing of the wire inside thecontainer system 100 while at the same time preventing the wire fromleaving through the aperture 227. At the top of the dispensing device220 is a disconnect payout 228 that receives an end of the wire withinthe container system 100. Examples of suitable dispensing devices 220are drum hoods available from Wire Wizard under part nos. WW 10200C-2,WW 10204C-2, WW 10234C-2, WW 10260C-2, WW 10201F, WWOC-20.5, WWOC,WWSC-21, WWSC-24 and WWSC-29.

After the dispensing device is placed on the top edges of the innercontainer 136 and the corner pieces 156, the weakened area 201 of cover104 is removed (see FIG. 17) and the cover is placed over the dispensingdevice 220 and engaged with the container portion 104 as shown in FIG.18. Note that the weakened area is positioned and sized so that thesurface 22 lies underneath material of the cover 104 so that thedispensing device cannot be removed through the top opening of the cover104. The wire is then ready to be dispensed.

Note that the above described embodiment of FIGS. 16-18 provides theadvantage of being economical and user friendly. As mentionedpreviously, dispensing devices 220 are commercially available and areoften available on site of a user. The embodiment is flexible in that awide variety of dispensing devices can be used with the container system100. So, when the container system is shipped to a user, the user canuse his or her own dispensing device and so avoid the expense of payingfor a special dispensing device that can only be used for the containersystem. The embodiment of FIGS. 16-18 is flexible in that a user can usea first type of dispensing device and if the dispensing devicemalfunctions the cover can be removed followed by replacing themalfunctioning dispensing device with an entirely different type ofdispensing device. After the new dispensing device is in place, thecover is placed back on and the wire is dispensed. Similarly, thecontainer system may be used at one site of a company using one type ofdispensing device. When work is done, the cover is removed so as toallow the dispensing device to be removed. Next, the cover is placedback on the container portion (or a new perforated cover is placed backon) and the container system is shipped to a different site of thecompany. If that different site has a different type of dispensingdevice than the first site, there is no problem with removing the coverand using the different dispensing device in a manner discussedpreviously.

As a second alternative way to dispense the wire, the weakened area 201is removed (see FIG. 19) and a separate dispensing cover 230 is placedover the cover 104. In particular, a skirt 232 of the dispensing cover230 is placed over the cover 104. The skirt 232 is integrally attachedto a top surface 234 that is integrally attached to a conical-like hood236 that extends upward and away from the top surface 234. A sidesurface 238 of the hood includes an aperture 240 that is covered by awindow 242 made of a transparent material. The window 242 functions inthe same manner as the window 227 of FIG. 18. At the top of thedispensing cover 230 is a disconnect payout 244 that receives an end ofthe wire within the container system 100. Note that dispensing cover 230may be made from any suitable material such as metal and be removedprior to recycling or disposing the container system 100.

In another alternative embodiment, the cover 104 is removed entirely anddispensing cover 230 is used in its place.

As mentioned previously, lifting of the container system 100 can beaccomplished by the use of the strap 130. As an alternative, a pallet246 can be used as shown in FIGS. 21-22. In particular, the pallet 246includes a base 247 that includes a support surface 248 and a pluralityof skids 250 that are glued to the bottom side of the support surface248. As shown in FIG. 22, each skid 150 is made of layered corrugatedcardboard. Note that the base 247 has the same structure as the covershown in FIG. 10. In practice, the base 110 of the container portion 102is placed on the top side of the support surface 248. No physicalattachment other than a frictional fit between the container portion andthe base 247 is made.

The wire storage containers can be prepackaged to include a wire such asa coiled supply of welding wire already stored in the wire storagecontainers. The wire storage containers can also be prepackaged toinclude a wire dispensing device preselected by the user and alreadyattached to the wire storage containers. Alternatively, a user caninsert their own wire into the wire storage containers or attached theirown wire dispensing device upon receipt of the wire storage containers.

Although the container systems shown in FIGS. 1-22 are substantiallysquare or rectangular in shape, the container system 100 may define anyshape that is known in the art that is suitable for storing wire. Forexample, container system 100 may be cylinder, a cube, a cuboid, etc.The skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions of box 100 andlid 200 may vary as desired or in accordance with manufacturingspecifications or in accordance with the size and shape of the productscontained therein.

As mentioned previously, the container systems of FIGS. 1-22 are made ofcorrugated cardboard. Such container systems may be made from anysuitable recyclable material such as, for example, cardboard,paperboard, cardstock, lidstock, fiberboard, or the like, orcombinations thereof. Alternatively or in addition to, box 100 and lid200 may be made from any suitable biodegradable materials such as abiodegradable polymer.

In an embodiment, any portion of the container systems of FIGS. 1-22 maybe either transparent or translucent so that a user can readily discernthe type of wire stored within the system. In another embodiment, anyportion of the container systems of FIGS. 1-22 may define a window oropening so that a user can readily discern the type of wire storedwithin the system.

The wire storage containers can be used to handle virtually all types ofwelding wire in many different industries, including but not limited to,low carbon steel wire, both in a coated and uncoated form. The wirestorage containers can also be used to handle wire for otherapplications, such as electrical wire, with and without insulation. Asused throughout, the term “welding wire” is intended to encompassvirtually any flexible wire that can be coiled and drawn out of thecoiled state for dispensing.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1-63. (canceled)
 64. A container system comprising: a container portion,comprising: a base that defines a perimeter; and a wall comprising afirst end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends fromsaid first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volumeof space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an upper edgethat defines an opening into said interior volume of space; a covercomprising a central surface that is positioned to contact the upperedge and block said opening, wherein said cover is not integrallyattached to said container portion and said cover is adapted toreleasably engage the container portion when the surface contacts theupper edge; wherein said cover comprises a male member disposed from anend panel of the cover, and said wall comprises a female member thatreceives the male member, wherein engagement between the male and femalemembers prevents the cover from being lifted vertically off of thecontainer portion, wherein said male member is in the shape of atrapezoid and has a free edge that extends interior of said end panel,and said female member is a trapezoidal cutout that receives said malemember, and wherein the male member is coplanar with a portion of thewall that defines the cutout when the cutout receives the male member.65. The container system of claim 64, wherein the cover has two malemembers each disposed upon opposite end panels and the wall has twofemale members each disposed upon opposite sides of the wall, whereineach of the two male members are disposed within a respective femalemember when the cover is disposed upon the upper edge of the wall. 66.The container of claim 64, wherein the female member includes an inneredge, wherein the free edge of the male member and the inner edge of thefemale member are aligned in parallel with the cover engaging thecontainer portion.
 67. The container system of claim 64, wherein saidcover defines an opening that passes through said cutout so that saidmale member is accessible via said opening defined by said cover,wherein pressing of said male member through said opening defined bysaid cover releases said male member from said female member, and allowsthe cover to be lifted vertically off of the container portion.
 68. Thecontainer of claim 64, further comprising a strap that engages said walland said cover so that a first end of said strap and a second end ofsaid strap extend past said edge of said opening.
 69. The containersystem of claim 68, wherein said wall comprises a first slot and asecond slot and said cover comprises a third slot and a fourth slot; andwherein said first end of said strap is threaded in order through saidthird slot, said first slot, said second slot and said fourth slot. 70.The container system of claim 69, wherein the male member furthercomprises a fifth slot that is disposed between the third and firstslots when the cover is disposed upon the container, wherein the strapis threaded in order through said third slot, said fifth slot, and saidfirst slot.
 71. The container system of claim 64, further comprisingwire located within said interior volume of space, wherein an end ofsaid wire extends through an opening formed in said central surface ofsaid cover.
 72. A container system comprising: a container portion,comprising: a base that defines a perimeter; and a wall comprising afirst end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends fromsaid first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volumeof space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of anopening into said interior volume of space; a cover comprising a surfacethat is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening, whereinsaid cover releasably engages said container portion via a male/femaleattachment, wherein said cover comprises a male member and said wallcomprises a female member that engages said female member and the malemember has a free edge that extends interior of an end panel of thecover towards said base and said female member is a cutout that receivessaid male member, wherein the male member is coplanar with a portion ofthe wall that defines the cutout when the cutout receives the malemember.
 73. The container system of claim 72, wherein said cover definesan opening that passes through said cutout so that said male member isaccessible via said opening defined by said cover, wherein pressing ofsaid male member through said opening defined by said cover releasessaid male member from said female member.
 74. The container system ofclaim 72, further comprising a strap that engages said wall so that afirst end of said strap and a second end of said strap extend past saidedge of said opening.
 75. The container system of claim 74, wherein saidstrap engages said cover.
 76. The container system of claim 75, whereinsaid wall comprises a first slot and a second slot and said covercomprises a third slot and a fourth slot; and wherein said first end ofsaid strap is threaded in order said third slot, said first slot, saidsecond slot and said fourth slot.
 77. The container system of claim 72,further comprising wire located within said interior volume of space,wherein an end of said wire extends through an opening formed in saidsurface of said cover.
 78. A container system comprising: a containerportion, comprising: a base that defines a perimeter; and a wallcomprising a first end that is attached to said base, wherein said wallextends from said first end so that said base and said wall define aninterior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall definesan upper edge that defines an opening into said interior volume ofspace; a cover comprising a central surface that is positioned tocontact the upper edge and block said opening, wherein said cover is notintegrally attached to said container portion and said cover is adaptedto releasably engage the container portion when the surface contacts theupper edge; wherein said cover comprises a male member disposed from anend panel of the cover and said wall comprises a female member thatreceives the male member, wherein engagement between the male and femalemembers prevents the cover from being lifted vertically off of thecontainer portion, and wherein said male member has a free edge thatextends interior of the end panel of the cover towards said wall andsaid female member is a cutout that receives said male member, andwherein the male member is coplanar with a portion of the wall thatdefines the cutout when the cutout receives the male member.
 79. Thecontainer system of claim 78, wherein the cover has two male memberseach disposed upon opposite end panels and the wall has two femalemembers each disposed upon opposite sides of the wall, wherein each ofthe two male members are disposed within a respective female member whenthe cover is disposed upon the upper edge of the wall.
 80. The containerof claim 78, wherein the female member includes an inner edge, whereinthe free edge of the male member and the inner edge of the female memberare aligned in parallel with the cover engaging the container portion.81. The container of claim 78, further comprising a strap that engagessaid wall and said cover so that a first end of said strap and a secondend of said strap extend past said edge of said opening.
 82. Thecontainer system of claim 81, wherein said wall comprises a first slotand a second slot and said cover comprises a third slot and a fourthslot; and wherein said first end of said strap is threaded in orderthrough said third slot, said first slot, said second slot and saidfourth slot.
 83. The container system of claim 78, further comprisingwire located within said interior volume of space, wherein an end ofsaid wire extends through an opening formed in said central surface ofsaid cover.